Have a lovely breakfast at 07:30 sitting in the sun. I really do like this breakfast terrace and it is a huge plus for the hotel.
We are away by 08:30 today and I have a full team plus one sub! The dirty dozen are back in business!
Our destination today is Monte Carlo and even though it is not in the itinerary I have said we will go to Nice for a short stop before taking one of the Corniche roads to Monte Carlo.
The drive between Nice and Monte Carlo is worth the day out alone and the reason for coming to Nice.
When I came two years ago the coach park by the old town was now only a dropping off and picking up area. Now it is neither! I try to approach it one way and am franticly waved away by another coach driver so I approach from the direction I have always done and am turned away by a policeman who tells me it is shut. Oh! I decide to bin Nice as nice as it is!
There is a small town called Eze on the way and I will stop there.
We rejoin the promenade and drive around the harbour which is as magnificent as always with it's vast array of yachts moored very close to the road.
From here we climb up on the Corniche, or coastal road, from where we are afforded spectacular views of the coastline and the villages that surround it. In the bay after Nice at Villefranche there is a large cruise ship anchored in which adds a sense of excitement to the scene below us.
I continue on to Eze and park in the coach park. We are stopping here just short of an hour but it still costs £23 to park! At least it is a nice stop and one I will stay longer at next time. There is an old town above the more modern village and also a perfumerie which can be visited. We only want toilets and coffee though today!
As we approach Monaco I have to purchase a permit for the coach which allows me to enter the principaility and park in the coach park underneath the palace. This is a good system but a little expensive - £110 for one days permit! My team had better enjoy the place!
I drive to the coach park and then explain where we are and how to get back to the coach and if they want a quick tour then the tourist train from outside the Oceanagraphic Museum is a good way to see where everything is.
They all seem keen so I take them by esculater and lift to the top of the parking area. We are now in the old town and close to the Royal Palace and near our little train.
For 7 Euro's we have a 30 minute tour of the city which is even better than usual because the Stands, pit lane, grid markings and barriers from the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix are still up.
Go on Jenson!
As the tour reaches the Palace we all get off the train and I explain how to return to the coach and then let them loose!
The Royal Palace is beautiful and the square it is in is lovely with great views over the famous harbour.
I walk back to the parking area and have a quick lunch that includes a £5 glass of coke! I then go back to the coach and move it so that I can sit at the front and overlook the sea and part of the harbour. I then have a kip!
I am pleased to be back at the coach for a read and relax because even though Monte Carlo is a very famous place with some lovely buildings and sights I don't like the place!
It has money, is very clean, has wonderful buildings in the old town, a famous car race, Casino, fancy hotels and many other plus points but I just do not get it. I think it lacks soul and charisma. Many will disagree with that but there you go. My favourite view of it is on the road out, very high up, looking down.
The dirty dozen all enjoyed it though which is the most important thing.
We are back at the hotel by 18:00 after an easy ride back. Well not too easy with the motorway going up and down all the way most of the time perched up high on stilts but incident free.
I seem to be forming a relationship with an Italian lady! Every time we come off the motorway I pay my toll via the credit card machine and the same lady always gives me instructions! I even spoke back to her today! Must be the sun!
I have decided to go out tonight and sample some local cuisine.
Ciao!
We are away by 08:30 today and I have a full team plus one sub! The dirty dozen are back in business!
Our destination today is Monte Carlo and even though it is not in the itinerary I have said we will go to Nice for a short stop before taking one of the Corniche roads to Monte Carlo.
The drive between Nice and Monte Carlo is worth the day out alone and the reason for coming to Nice.
When I came two years ago the coach park by the old town was now only a dropping off and picking up area. Now it is neither! I try to approach it one way and am franticly waved away by another coach driver so I approach from the direction I have always done and am turned away by a policeman who tells me it is shut. Oh! I decide to bin Nice as nice as it is!
There is a small town called Eze on the way and I will stop there.
We rejoin the promenade and drive around the harbour which is as magnificent as always with it's vast array of yachts moored very close to the road.
From here we climb up on the Corniche, or coastal road, from where we are afforded spectacular views of the coastline and the villages that surround it. In the bay after Nice at Villefranche there is a large cruise ship anchored in which adds a sense of excitement to the scene below us.
I continue on to Eze and park in the coach park. We are stopping here just short of an hour but it still costs £23 to park! At least it is a nice stop and one I will stay longer at next time. There is an old town above the more modern village and also a perfumerie which can be visited. We only want toilets and coffee though today!
As we approach Monaco I have to purchase a permit for the coach which allows me to enter the principaility and park in the coach park underneath the palace. This is a good system but a little expensive - £110 for one days permit! My team had better enjoy the place!
I drive to the coach park and then explain where we are and how to get back to the coach and if they want a quick tour then the tourist train from outside the Oceanagraphic Museum is a good way to see where everything is.
They all seem keen so I take them by esculater and lift to the top of the parking area. We are now in the old town and close to the Royal Palace and near our little train.
For 7 Euro's we have a 30 minute tour of the city which is even better than usual because the Stands, pit lane, grid markings and barriers from the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix are still up.
Go on Jenson!
As the tour reaches the Palace we all get off the train and I explain how to return to the coach and then let them loose!
The Royal Palace is beautiful and the square it is in is lovely with great views over the famous harbour.
I walk back to the parking area and have a quick lunch that includes a £5 glass of coke! I then go back to the coach and move it so that I can sit at the front and overlook the sea and part of the harbour. I then have a kip!
I am pleased to be back at the coach for a read and relax because even though Monte Carlo is a very famous place with some lovely buildings and sights I don't like the place!
It has money, is very clean, has wonderful buildings in the old town, a famous car race, Casino, fancy hotels and many other plus points but I just do not get it. I think it lacks soul and charisma. Many will disagree with that but there you go. My favourite view of it is on the road out, very high up, looking down.
The dirty dozen all enjoyed it though which is the most important thing.
We are back at the hotel by 18:00 after an easy ride back. Well not too easy with the motorway going up and down all the way most of the time perched up high on stilts but incident free.
I seem to be forming a relationship with an Italian lady! Every time we come off the motorway I pay my toll via the credit card machine and the same lady always gives me instructions! I even spoke back to her today! Must be the sun!
I have decided to go out tonight and sample some local cuisine.
Ciao!
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